Filed under: Acura , Cadillac , Chevrolet , Hyundai , Kia , Lexus , Mazda , Nissan , Toyota , Design/Style , Ram Step inside just about any new car these days and you’ll quickly see that vehicle interiors have become a pretty nice place to spend some time in. For the third consecutive year, WardsAuto sat in each and every new vehicle that had received redesigned or updated interiors, and it has now named its 10 Best Interiors. Judges look at everything from design and fit-and-finish to comfort, safety and technology. Some of the standout selections include budget cars like the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Forte all the way up to more expensive sedans like the $60,000+ Cadillac XTS and Lexus GS450h . An interesting note here is that WardsAuto praises Cadillac for its CUE infotainment system while Consumer Reports generally lambasts the system. Asian automakers definitely won the contest for nicest interiors as the list is comprised of five Japanese automakers and two South Korean, with Toyota and General Motors in a dead heat with the most number of cars on the list with two each. Scroll down for the full list (in alphabetical order) and press release from WardsAuto for its 10 Best Interiors of 2013. Continue reading Ward’s 10 Best Interiors released, Asian automakers take 7 of 10 spots Ward’s 10 Best Interiors released, Asian automakers take 7 of 10 spots originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing , Honda , Mazda , Nissan , Toyota , Volkswagen Wards Auto has released its North American Light Vehicle Production Forecast for 2014, and the report predicts foreign manufacturers will increase production on the continent some 3.9 percent by 2014. If accurate, that should see 123,000 additional cars, trucks and vans produced in North America, swelling the total number of units produced both by domestic and foreign manufacturers to 16.9 million light vehicles from a projected 15.6 million in 2013. Much of the increase can be attributed to the fact that Toyota intends to produce another car at its Blue Springs, MS plant as well as a new Lexus model at its Georgetown, KY facility in a year’s time. Likewise, Volkswagen intends to move production of a currently imported model to its plant in Puebla, Mexico. Daimler , Honda , Nissan and Mazda also plan to build additional models on North American soil for the first time. Around two-thirds of the new North American manufacturing will take place in Mexico, helping the country soak up a full 20 percent of the content’s automotive production for the first time. You can head over to the Wards Auto site for the full report. North American production of foreign marques to jump in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Recalls , Safety , Acura , Honda , Toyota Honda has surpassed Toyota for the largest number of recalled vehicles in 2011. Wards Auto reports that Honda expanded an airbag recall to encompass a total of 2.5 million million vehicles last year, pushing the total number of recalled units to 3.9 million vehicles over 17 campaigns. Previous estimates put Toyota at the head of the recall pile with 13 campaigns covering 3.5 million vehicles. The airbag recall covers some of the most popular Honda models, including Civic , Civic Hybrid and Accord sedans manufactured between 2001 and 2004, as well as the CR-V and Pilot . The Acura CL and TL were also included. Toyota, meanwhile, found itself correcting issues with accelerator pedals and floor mats associated with the company’s unintended acceleration woes. Toyota had found itself leading the largest number of recalled vehicles for two consecutive years prior to 2011. Airbag recall forces Honda past Toyota in total recalls for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink